Due to concerns by residents regarding pedestrian safety on Menzies Avenue near the shops, it was resolved that Council would advocate for a 40 km/hr speed limit from O’Malley Crescent to Hughes Crescent.

At its meeting on 12 February 2018 Council endorsed a notice of motion in support of the Greater Dandenong African Community. This included recognition that residents of African background are valued and respected; encouraging others to refrain from language that leads to fear and division; to promote participation in advisory committees; writing to state and federal MPs about this position and issuing a media release.

Council supports and advocates on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers to help achieve a healthy, active and safe life in this community through the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Statement, the Joint Statement on Asylum Seekers Living in the Community, the formation of the Asylum Seeker and Refugee Advisory Committee and development of the Asylum Seeker and Refugee Action Plan.

In June 2017 Council advocated for increased support for asylum seekers facing consequences of the ‘lodge or leave’ announcement.

In March 2018, Council advocated for an extension to the Notice of Intention to Consider Cancellation for refugees holding permanent visas from 14 day response time to at least 28 days.

Council opposed changes in the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment, in particular the changes to residency requirements and the English language test. See council meeting minutes from 10 July 2017 for details.

At the Council meeting on 12 February 2018, Greater Dandenong City Council publicly renewed its commitment as a community who welcomes all. In response to the Victorian Parliament’s Charitable Purpose Bill 2017 Council agreed to write letters to parliamentary members opposing the proposed changes to the Act. These changes would exclude the advancement of religion as a charitable purpose.

Council has written to the State Government regarding the urgent need for a sound barrier for residents between Chandler and Perry roads, Keysborough, and is supporting the Keysborough South Action Group’s advocacy on this issue.

Council is focussed on harm minimisation techniques, and seeks collaboration across all levels of government to identify, monitor and manage alcohol related harms; and seeks funding for initiatives to address the impacts of alcohol.

Greater Dandenong Council seeks to raise the profile of family violence and gender equity, support community-based initiatives, advocate for further resources to address these issues and provide direct support to local families, women and young people at risk of violence.

The City of Greater Dandenong has the second highest concentration of gaming machines in metropolitan Melbourne, and annual losses are near the top for the state. Council is seeking the introduction of $1 bet limits on all EGMs; the prohibition of EFTPOS facilities in gaming venues; the introduction of compulsory pre-commitment; increased financial support for programs that prevent harms associated with problem gambling; and a better mechanism for planning decisions on EGMs that allows for community input.

In July 2017 Council committed to considering options for better engagement with community organisations, clubs, schools and churches to further advocate for gambling reform.

Council has called on the State Government to provide increased police resources to the City of Greater Dandenong Police Service Area to help combat increasing crime rates, including resources to address the rising problems of drug crime, addiction and access to rehabilitation beds for ice addicts.

Council has written to both state and federal members in support of a third international airport being situated in Melbourne’s south east, and requesting it be given consideration as a priority project. See a copy of the letter sent.

At the 12 September 2016 meeting Council resolved to advocate for improved internet choice and performance as well as mobile reception, particularly in the new estates within Dandenong and Keysborough. Council is seeking support from local members of Parliament, relevant telecommunications authorities and providers asking for support to improve internet choice and performance.

Council is advocating for a secondary school in the vicinity of the new estates of Keysborough South that would serve residents in that area and the nearby suburbs in Greater Dandenong and the City of Kingston. We have also written to the Minister for Education and the State MP for Keysborough and other local lower house and upper house members of State Parliament and the local Federal member, requesting a secondary school for Keysborough South.

Greater Dandenong Council supports the Metropolitan Local Government Waste Forum actions to ensure the State Government uses funds from the Municipal and Industrial Landfill levy for the introduction of innovative and sustainable waste management solutions, as was its original purpose.

Council has asked the State Government to retain the site of the former Maralinga Primary School for future education needs in the area in the absence of any clear strategic intentions for the site.

Material aid for the community's most vulnerable

The City of Greater Dandenong is one of the most disadvantaged municipalities in Victoria, so ongoing efforts are focussed on additional resources for local services, material aid and support for volunteer services.

Council is advocating to the State Government outlining the increasing complexity and demand for MCH services across the city and seeking their action; as well as forming a working group to address these issues. The working group will build a strong business case to articulate what the issues are before reporting back to the community.

Council is investigating and will consider options for regulation of shisha under the Tobacco Act if deemed relevant.

Rooming House Regulations

Greater Dandenong Council will write to the State Government requesting a review of various legislations applying to the development and management of rooming houses and similar accommodation types, with a view to determining opportunities for improvement.

Council has committed to develop a policy and guidelines on the use of single-use plastic bags, straws, balloons and other soft plastic packaging with the aim of reducing soft plastics pollution; and will support the State Government to ban use of such plastics.

The Greater Dandenong Mayor has written to all local Federal MPs and the Parliamentary enquiry to advise them of Council’s position with regard to acknowledgement of the importance of protections afforded by the Australian Racial Discrimination Act.